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Suicide Bomber Kills 12, Self in Cameroon

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Kolofata, Cameroon
Kolofata, Cameroon

A suicide bomber killed 12 people in northern Cameroon on Wednesday when he blew himself up at a mosque during morning prayers.

Officials say the early morning attack occurred in Kouyape, a village near the border with Nigeria.

There has been no official claim of responsibility, but the incident took place in an area often targeted by the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram.

FILE - Cameroon soldiers stand guard at a lookout post as they take part in operations against the Islamic extremists group Boko Haram.
FILE - Cameroon soldiers stand guard at a lookout post as they take part in operations against the Islamic extremists group Boko Haram.

The extremist group has waged a battle for an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria since 2009 and staged attacks in Cameroon for the past three years.

Cameroon is one of five African nations, including Nigeria, that has set up a joint task force to combat the group.

In October, the United States sent about 300 military personnel to Cameroon to assist with the fight.

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